| 1. Beginner's Korner: Covering Nils -- Part 2 of a 2 Part Article
We have previously discussed the importance of a Nil, and how to protect your partner when he or she has bid a Nil. Remember, experienced defenders will be attacking your Nil, and will do everything they can to create or induce a weakness. Some Nils are ironclad and cannot be set, barring poor play by the Nil bidder; some Nils are defeated because of poor cover by the partner of the Nil bidder; and some Nils are successful because the defense errs. This month we explore the importance of the Spade suit -- especially the trump in your (covering) hand. Every Spade you hold provides a measure of protection. If you are blessed with at least a three-card Spade suit headed by the Ace or King, you are in good shape. Two or three middle trump are also helpful. To begin with, you must assume that your partner did not wade into a Nil bid with four small Spades, or a three-card Spade holding with more than one middle trump (the seven through the Queen). A partner who bids a Nil with the King of Spades in his hand is taking a chance. Of course, if you bid five, six, or seven before your partner bids, this provides a greater comfort zone for those borderline Nil hands.
It is essential to save your covering trump, unless you absolutely forced to burn one in order to prevent your partner from winning a trick in a side suit. A lead of a side suit Deuce or 3 from your right-hand opponent will often put you to the test, especially if you are void in that side suit. "To trump or not trump -- that is the question." A lot of pairs have adopted some simple conventions to help reduce some of the guesswork. "High-Low" count signals can be helpful. The play of a high spot card (by your Nilling partner) in a plain suit, followed by a lower card in the same suit, promises possession of only two cards in that suit. This can get rather dicey if that high spot card is the 9 or 10 and your partner must play before you. "Nil Reverse Discards" are especially helpful. If your partner plays a low card on the first round of a side suit, and then plays a higher card on the second round of that suit, he or she is alerting you not to waste a trump on any subsequent leads of that suit. "The Big Five Bid" is used by many players. If you bid five before your partner's turn to bid, you promise a range of 4 - 6 tricks, and possession of the Ace or King of trump. This allows your partner to bid Nil with the King OR Queen of Spades (and NO other "risk" cards in his or her hand).
The use of standard leads (King from King - Queen; Queen from Queen - Jack, and Jack from Jack - 10, etc., will allow for a better understanding of a specific holding. As in any game, the partners must be on the same page, and understand the use of any conventions or card-signaling systems. Bridge players have been using these perfectly legal systems for years.
In summary, when covering a Nil bid, make the effort to read your partner's plays, as well as the opponents' plays. Play your longest and strongest side suit to provide discarding opportunities for your partner. Manage that trump suit -- do not squander your valuable Spades. And learn some new conventions -- to give your side the edge.
2. Double Nils -- Love Them or Hate Them! (D. Huang)
Occasionally, I receive some very good commentary from a reader of this column. I have never been an advocate of the Double Nil (DN) option. However, here is a nice article from David Huang, who resides in California and is a very seasoned player. And he shares some interesting viewpoints about DN's.
In general good players do not like to play DN games. First let me generalize by saying over the course of a normal full game (to 500 points), with a relatively even card deal, a well-played game by a team will result in a win. With the introduction of the DN-allowed game, this is not necessarily the case. Let's go over the disadvantages of DN games first.
Con: Even if you and your partner play well throughout the course of the game, the opponents can desperately come back and win at any moment, especially at the end.
Example 1:
Your team has played a great game thus far and is leading 390 to 191 (seems like a insurmountable lead, right?) On the next hand, you bid 2 and opponents bid 8, your partner bids 1 due to unmake-able Nil (single Ace of Spades, two-suited Ace, etc.), opponents pard bids DN and makes. Assuming each team takes a bag, the score is now 421 - 472. In the next hand all the opponent has to do is get a combined 4-bid without getting set to win unless your partner or you can Nil. 472 + 40 = 512 vs 421+ 90 = 511.
Example 2:
Your team has played a great game thus far and is leading 430 to 240 (another seemingly insurmountable lead). On the next hand you and your partner combine for a 5-bid and opponents bid 6 and DN and both teams make their bid. The game is over!!!!! You just lost a game that you deserved to win.
Now for the advantage of DN. It sure brings a new dimension and more excitement to the game.
Pro: The reverse of the con holds true. It's a great way to come back during the middle of the game or the end of the game.
Double Nil also brings in a new dimension to the game of Spades. You and your partner can come up with a convention for DN bidding similar to a conventional 5-bid for Nilling. If you have a regular partner and you have agreed on a conventional 7+ bid to illustrate, you have a hand to cover a DN with at least a 7-bid, this would be a great advantage to winning (270+ in one hand is more than halfway to winning the game).
Do I think it should be part of the game? As long as both teams agreed to it at the beginning of the game, then it's fine. Personally, I do not like to play Double Nil-allowed games. I hate getting beat when we had the game won more than I like winning desperately when we don't deserve the win. Does anyone have any thoughts on this article? I sure have mine -- I loathe the DN bid. Period! However, this is a forum for everyone, and all points of view are welcome. Let me know....
3. Live Spades Tournament Update:
August 12-15 Nashville, TN -- The Spades Connection
The Spades Connection -- Home2004
September 17 - 19 Chicago, IL -- National Spades Championship
October 21-24 Pittsburgh, PA -- The Spades Connection
Check out the Grand Prix Site for more details about the Live events.
Grand Prix - World Series of Spades / Euchre / Hearts
--And have a great Summer! | |
